In this issue
Senators urge CMS to better account for rural care needs
A bipartisan group of 34 senators, including
Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, asked the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) to better account for the unique circumstances of
rural providers in its rulemaking process. Citing problematic policies such
as the outpatient therapy supervision requirement and 96-hour rule, they
asked CMS to share additional information on how the agency incorporates
rural health care considerations into the rulemaking process and monitors the
impact of final regulations on rural costs and access to care. Thanks to
Sens. Klobuchar and Franken for their support of Minnesota’s rural hospitals.
Read the letter here. return to top
Ebola resources available on MHA website
The recent transmission of Ebola to a health
care worker underscores the importance that hospitals continue to prepare to
handle Ebola. We know that hospitals across Minnesota are closely following
the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and
the Minnesota Department of Health as it pertains to Ebola preparedness. To
aid member hospitals, MHA has developed an Ebola preparedness resource page where we
are posting guidance from CDC and MDH as well as resources from Minnesota
hospitals and those in other states. If you have additional materials that
you are able to share with other hospitals, please forward to us and we will
add them. return to top
Member news: Children’s Hospitals and Clinics names new
CEO
Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of
Minnesota has named Robert (Bob) Bonar Jr. as chief executive officer,
effective Dec. 8. Bonar replaces Dr. Alan Goldbloom who is retiring after
more than a decade leading the hospital.
Bonar brings more than
two decades of experience driving significant growth and national recognition
for pediatric health systems in Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and South Carolina.
He currently serves as president and CEO of Seton Family of Hospitals and CEO
of Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. Throughout his career,
Bonar has focused on improving quality outcomes, establishing strategic
partnerships within the community and furthering access to pediatric care for
people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
He holds a doctorate in health administration and policy from the Medical
University of South Carolina and earned master’s degrees in administrative
disciplines from West Virginia University and the University of Oklahoma. He
also holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from West Virginia University.
Bonar has held instructional roles at several academic medical centers across
the country. He began his career as a teacher, while also serving as a
paramedic in Morgantown, West Virginia. return to top
Health care professionals needed to fill vacancies on two
statewide boards
The Minnesota Secretary of State has
announced vacancies are available for the Trauma Advisory Council and Board
of Psychology. Hospitals are encouraged to submit names of qualified
professionals for these important boards. In particular, the Trauma Advisory
Council is seeking seven health care professionals (see below) who practice
in trauma-designated hospitals or directly with trauma patients. The Trauma
Advisory Council was established to advise, consult with and make
recommendations to the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health
regarding the development, maintenance and improvement of the statewide
trauma system.
The Board of Psychology has one vacancy for a master’s level psychologist.
The following appointments are available on the Trauma Advisory Council:
- An attendant or ambulance director who is an EMT, EMT-I, or
EMT-P;
- An emergency physician certified by the American Board of
Emergency Medicine or the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine
whose practice includes emergency room care in a Level I, II, III, or IV
trauma hospital;
- A rehabilitation specialist whose practice includes
rehabilitation of patients with major trauma injuries or traumatic brain
injuries and spinal cord injuries;
- A physician certified by the American Board of Family Medicine
or the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice whose practice includes
emergency department care in a Level III or IV trauma hospital located in a
designated rural area;
- An orthopedic surgeon certified by the American Board of
Orthopaedic Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery
whose practice includes trauma and who practices in a Level I, II, or III
trauma hospital;
- A pediatrician certified by the American Board of Pediatrics
or the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics whose practice includes
emergency department care in a Level I, II, III, or IV trauma hospital;
- A trauma program nurse manager or coordinator practicing in a
Level I or II trauma hospital.
For more information and to apply online,
visit the Secretary of State website. return to top
Law aims to improve access to care for veterans
Map shows access
to care in Minnesota
Congress recently passed the Veterans
Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014. The law is designed to
alleviate the backlogs, long travel and wait times for some veterans
accessing care through the Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System. The new
law allows veterans living more than 40 miles away from a VA clinic or
hospital to access health care through a private provider. Veterans who live
within a 40-mile radius of a VA facility can only access private providers if
the VA wait time exceeds 30 days. HealthCurve Analytics LLC, a joint venture
of the Illinois and Missouri Hospital Associations, created a map of Minnesota, which displays a 40-mile
radius around each of the VA facilities in the state. If your hospital is
located outside one of the circles, veterans can now seek care at your
facilities. return to top